Welcome!

This is my first e-newsletter, which I plan to put together regularly as another form of communication with residents of the Humboldt County community in addition to public meetings, community events, my local news column contributions, and regular social media updates. I welcome your feedback about what you’d like to see here and encourage you to invite others to sign up for the Fourth District newsletter. At the bottom of this newsletter, you can find a list of boards and commissions I serve on in my County capacity, too – those are all areas of special focus in my work on your behalf, and I welcome your feedback.

Investing in Our Community

My job continues to be rewarding and very challenging. The first six months of 2025 have required Humboldt County to be nimble as we work to adjust to changes in the federal government while planning for state and local funding constraints. This month we collaborated with community partners to host the grand opening of the Humboldt Bay Trail between Eureka and Arcata, realizing the completion of the County’s final 4 miles of trail to connect communities around Humboldt Bay. We recently passed a nitrous oxide ban and are being joined by local cities in implementing this ban, intended to address the serious health and safety issues associated with recreational use of this potentially deadly substance. Our board also made decisions about the allocation of special tax revenues for transportation, public safety, tourism, and more.

Humboldt County Budget

Curious about the County of Humboldt’s fiscal year 2025-2026 budget? Counties follow the state fiscal calendar, so July is the start of our new year, financially speaking. You can explore the entire budget in detail or get an overview of the big picture on our county website.                   

Coast Guard Month

It is almost Coast Guard Month, which we designate every August as a special time to appreciate the Coast Guard and their important role in our local community. I was pleased to attend the recent change of command ceremony at Sector Humboldt Bay in McKinleyville, where I bid farewell to Captain Scott Powers and welcomed new Commanding Officer Captain Michael Baird. Captain Powers was a force for good and was highly involved in the community, and we thank him greatly while warmly welcoming Captain Baird!

"Sips with a Supe"

On Friday, August 15th from 8:30 am – 10 am, please join me for my first “Sips with a Supe” coffee meeting at the Jefferson Community Center’s J Café (1000 B Street in Eureka). I’ll buy the coffee or tea, and you’re welcome to come chat with me and other County of Humboldt representatives! There will be light bites and baked goods for sale to benefit the Jefferson Center, too. You don’t need to RSVP, but if you wish to you can email me at narroyo@co.humboldt.ca.us.

Keeping Our Community Safe

I attended a multi-agency pre-fire season briefing to learn all about the emergency planning, fire severity projections, and agencies that are ready for fire season. A key takeaway was encouraging the community to sign up for emergency notifications. You can do that here!

Serving the Community through Boards and Commissions

I currently serve on the following boards/commissions, and would be glad to hear from you with questions or concerns about these specific subjects or areas of service: Humboldt Transit Authority, Redwood Coast Energy Authority, First 5 Humboldt, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission, Humboldt County Behavioral Health Board, Redwood Region Economic Development Commission, and the Samoa Peninsula Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District. I also serve as a board member of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (the Klamath dam removal non-profit entity) and co-chair of the statewide Coastal Counties regional association within the California State Association of Counties. 

How to reach me: Email: narroyo@co.humboldt.ca.us; Direct phone line: (707) 476-2394

Sincerely,

Natalie Arroyo
District 4 Supervisor